Image Labeled 'Not to Be Published' Open for Public Purchase Through RR Auction

A photo emphatically labeled "not to be published" showing a young Diana Spencer reclining in bed with a young man and a bottle of Johnnie Walker will be made available to the public through an auction house later this month.

(Photo: rrauction.com)

An "uncommon early 10 x 8 glossy news photo of a young Diana lying in bed, with a young man seated behind her, and a bottle of Johnnie Walker sitting on the window sill" is being auctioned by RR Auction in Jan. 2013.

The photo of the future Princess of Wales has been put up for auction by RR Auction, with bidding starting at $200 and running from Jan. 17-Jan 24, 2013.

The New Hampshire-based auction house describes the certifiably authentic black and white photo on its website:

Teenage image of the future princess emphatically labeled "not to be published"

Uncommon early 10 x 8 glossy news photo of a young Diana lying in bed, with a young man seated behind her, and a bottle of Johnnie Walker sitting on the window sill. Stamped February 1981 on back, the image is clear. The image has crop lines and 'Not to be published' handwritten on the front. Note on back, otherwise light wear. A super early image quite possibly never seen by the public. RR Auction COA.

The young man seen in the photo was not identified, and neither was it explained why this photo of a young Diana was marked "not to be published."

The deceased British princess, born Lady Diana Frances Spencer, married Prince Charles in 1981 at the age of 20. The couple had two sons, Princes William and Harry, before Diana's death in a car crash in Paris on Aug. 31, 1997.

Diana was so popular internationally that she became known as the "People's Princess" and lauded for her humanitarian efforts, of which her sons continue to this day. It is estimated that approximately 2.5 billion people watched her funeral on Sept. 6.

RR Auction has previously auctioned other celebrity items, and some its current auctions include items from former Presidents Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy, actor James Dean and martial arts expert Bruce Lee.

"Every month we offer collectors more than 1,250 quality, fully guaranteed signed items, including photos, documents, letters, and books from a variety of categories — just as we have for more than 30 years," RR Auction notes on its website.